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Philippine Star  "Bank secrecy" Senators reportedly want to “dig deeper” into the money laundering scandal involving several casinos and a bank. Congressmen, apparently hit by publicity envy, have  announced plans to conduct their own probe. The congressional inquiries, ostensibly in aid of legislation, could be stretched all the way to election day.  With just three months left before incumbent officials finish their terms, can any piece of legislation even be proposed in connection with this probe? One measure  needed to prevent a repeat of the scandal has been sought by authorities since the Anti-Money Laundering Act was passed in 2001: an easing of bank secrecy laws,  which are among the toughest in the world. But every Congress has brushed aside the proposal. Will the ongoing probe make a difference?   [full text] Sun.Star Cebu  "Vote Earth" Launched by the World Wide Fund for Nature in 2007, the Earth Hour began as a “lights-off” event in Sy...

From an address in Kenya  Kenya has been blessed not only with immense beauty, in its mountains, rivers and lakes, its forests, savannahs and semi-deserts, but also by an abundance of natural resources. The Kenyan people have a strong appreciation of these God-given treasures and are known for a culture of conservation which does you honour. The grave environmental crisis facing our world demands an ever greater sensitivity to the relationship between human beings and nature. We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received. These values are deeply rooted in the African soul. In a world which continues to exploit rather than protect our common home, they must inspire the efforts of national leaders to promote responsible models of economic development.   [Full text]